In April 2009, I walked past a display case at a local gun show, did a double take and stopped dead in my tracks. Reposing in the case was the pistol I’d lusted after for exactly 20 years--- a round butt, snub-nosed stainless .44 magnum with combat grips. But not just any old 629 snubbie--- could it be the one I’d seen on the cover of the June 1989 issue of Combat Handguns? The pistol lay there left side up with the Smith & Wesson call out on the barrel. Correct so far. The grips weren’t the deeply-grooved Goncalvos on the CH cover, they were trimmer, tighter and flatter but still had S&W medallions. Factory issue or custom? I don’t have an eagle-eye for stainless snubbies--- it could have been an L frame for all I knew. Trying not to hyperventilate, I asked the guy at the booth, “Is that a .44 Magnum?” Affirmative. I asked to examine it, hoping I didn’t drop it through shaking fingers. It appeared to be unfired, brand new. Sure enough there was the “44 Magnum” call out on the right side of the barrel. Swung the cylinder out and read “629-1” on the frame. It couldn’t be. It was.

Even now I can’t believe I handed it back to the guy. What in hell was I thinking? Don’t let go, idiot! I walked away, head spinning, almost blacking out. The last time I experienced a burst of uncontrollable lust approaching anywhere near that intensity was over a woman. I could not think, could not breathe. I walked like a zombie from booth to booth, trying to to come to grips with the moment. I had one thousand dollars in my pocket. Ten one hundred dollar bills, earmarked for a new laptop, I wasn’t even planning on hitting the gunshow. I’d long ago given up any hope of finding quality N frames at any of this state’s gunshows. I pulled in on a whim, curious to see if there were any wood & blue 12 gauges like the one Steve McQueen used in The Getaway. I can’t stand all the trendy black tactical ****. It was Sunday afternoon, the show was scheduled to close in less than an hour. Then this. I wandered past endless Rugers, Taurus tables and plastic guns, pausing to stare at nothing and trying to get my mind to work. Bottom line: I could always get a laptop, the 629 was a once-in-a-lifetime score.

I tried not to run back to the booth. It’d been about twenty minutes. I got hot and sweaty. What if it was gone? There it was. I had it in my hands and there was no letting go. The guy wanted $800, got him down to $750, although now it seems unnecessary, almost unseemly to have quibbled over gratifying one’s heart’s desire. I would gladly have forked over the entire grand for it.

I’d saved that issue of Combat Handguns all these years, hoping for this moment to arrive. I got home, re-read the article while fondling the pistol. Lew Horton isn’t mentioned by name, only referred to as “an enterprising fellow in Massachusetts,” but there’s a reference to his earlier run of 5000 snub 24s. There’s no serial number info and no mention of “Combat Magnum.” Over the years, through online research, monitoring auctions and devouring the Standard Catalog of S&W the main question was answered. The serial number prefix--- ANC--- IDs the pistol as a Lew Horton Combat Magnum, one of 5000 produced in 1985. I don’t think it’s the same model as the one on the CH cover. As mentioned the grips are different (maybe an early factory version of the traditional S&W combat stocks on the cover) and the stainless steel has a matte finish and a light bead-blasted texture, as opposed to the standard finish on the CH cover. I’m thinking the cover gun was part of a later run of Lew Horton Combat Magnums in 1988, perhaps, as the one I recently saw listed on GunBroker claimed. That GB gun did not have the “ANC” prefix, I think it was “APJ”. Anyone who has definitive info, please chime in. I know Horton also offered 29-3 Combat Magnums. A pair of each would be ideal, with matched EPS cross-draws. A comprehensive catalog of Lew Horton offerings would be nice, too.

This is the ultimate Smith & Wesson for me. It’s not the one on the CH cover, it’s better. The first round butt, 3” 629 with the more businesslike blasted finish. The early combat stocks (if that’s what they are) are handier and fit my back pocket better than the larger, later Goncalvos, which have always reminded me of a squished banana. Earlier in the decade I’d settled for less--- a brightly polished 3” 629 from LA Guns with Magna-Ports and trashy “Trail Boss 1850-2000” etching. At the time it was the closest I could get to that CH cover gun (amazing what you can Google nowadays). I’m not into unfluted cylinders and full lug barrels--- there were plenty of those floating around back then. I bought a set of Goncalvo combat grips from a forum member to replace the Altimont grips with the flat butt. Who could lust after a flat butt? The only thing worse would’ve been rubber grips. All the flash of that Trail Boss was kind of a turn off, a .44 Smith & Wesson doesn’t need it. Which is why, for me at least, Horton’s first and best Combat Magnum has stood the test of time.

I do have a tech question. Can the older 629s handle modern hot magnum loads like Garrett’s? Bear & mountain lion have been known to pass through my yard, and when I bring in the dogs at night I carry the 629 with full house factory loads (240 gr) in my back pocket. Would a cylinder of 300 grain Garretts be too much? What about the 330s?

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Welcome to the forum.
I can't answer your question but will say, nice gun, nice grips and good looking dog. You got it going on.

Let me add, nice looking leather also.

A tear to my eye...

Nice first post. Very nice score. Grail guns are fun to find, aren't they?

I can't imagine that a cylinder or two of the heavies could hurt it. Over the years I've heard a few people state that they damaged/broke their short gun with the heavier than standard bullets. But never with just a few shots, it's a bunch.


Cat

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Think for yourself.

Those grips look like Magna Classics. Not sure on the spelling, but I bought some from the S&W factory several years ago and that's what S&W called them. On the Garrett ammo question, I think I read on his website that the 330s are too long for S&Ws. They were made for Redhawks, Super Redhawks, Dan Wessons and Taurus Raging Bulls. I would think the Garrett 310 Hammerheads will give you all the recoil fun you want and more. You may want to read Randy Garrett's article on "SHORT BARRELED AND LIGHTWEIGHT 44 MAGNUM REVOLVERS". It's on his website. To answer your question, I believe the older 44 mags are strong enough for limited use of said ammo, but the, well just read the article.

Welcome to the forum, David. Great first post!
It's so much fun to find the exact gun you've been looking for.
The 3" .44 Mags are a lot of fun!

I generally shoot WWB 240-gr Semi-Jacketed soft points in my 3" 629-4. Buy 'em at Wal-Mart...pretty good value as far as factory ammo goes.
I think you will find that load (or a similar 240-gr factory load) will probably be about as much as you care to shoot from a 3" pistol. It is for me, anyway. I would think the WWB 240-gr would be more than enough for big cats, and in a pinch, would likely discourage your average black bear from stealing your picnic basket, too.

I don't think I would try anything heavier in a 629-1, but that's just me. I would stay with factory 240-gr loads as max for that gun.

-Jim

I don't think max load Garretts would be a good choice for that gun. The heaviest loads may even be too long for the cylinder. For the animals you mentioned, the lighter grain loads are more than adequate.

Additionally, I think the heavy Garretts would probably give you so much muzzle flip/rotation that you'd really have to concentrate to recover in any reasonable time frame. Don

Congrats! Very nice find! I have the blued steel version. Who is the maker of the holster?

Bob

That's an El Paso Saddlery cross-draw. It housed the Trail Boss I mentioned, and then later another 3" Lew Horton .44 mag. It was his recent take on the Classic line--- blue with a pencil barrel and gorgeous rosewood Magna stocks. It shot great, but man, did it make my hand bleed. The finish showed noticeable wear after six months of duty in my back pocket as my shop gun. I guess that's to be expected, not something you worry about with stainless. After I got the 629-1, I swapped the blue Horton & some cash for Colt's deep blue retro-WWI .45 auto. After a few cylinders of .44s, the .45 feels like a BB gun.
Thanks for the tip to check out Garrett's website! Man, it's been years since I've been online (and years since my last post here). I keep forgetting we have the world at our fingertips now. I can't wait to read Garrett's short .44 caveats.

Congrats! I experienced a similar feeling. I'm into Colt 1902 & 1905 automatics and was offered one of each plus a 1917-1911 for a good price. I didn't want the 1911 due mismatched slide. Showed it to someone who fell in love with it and offered me a blue version of .44 Mag Combat Magnum in about as new as it ever was. I always wanted a Big Bore Belly gun and never expected to score this good.

Blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.

Probably a good idea to just try some loads and see what you think.

I've chronoed the old classic Keith load ( 250 over 22 gr 2400) out of my Combat Mag - would you believe allmost 1350 fps? I gets your attention right quick, and fast follow up shots aren't happening.

Cats are thin skinned, light boned and don't require much to put down, the hard part with them is knowing they're there, and then bullet placement.

Bears, well that depends on how big it is. A big bear here in Florida isn't that big by Washington state standards. I wouldn't hesitate with a 250 grain Keith at about 1000 fps, but that's me.

Have a ball, whatever you deceide on!


Cat

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Think for yourself.

Yeah, one of my favorite guns is a 1908 .380. Even with nearly 100 years of wear, it's beautiful and accurate as hell. It's right up there with the Combat Magnum and the WWI retro .45 as keepers. (I had a cut-down Kimber .45 a few years back. Never again.)

After reading your post, you've got me lusting after one.

Excellent write-up, felt like it was me instead of you.

augy

Lew Horton 629-5 2 5/8"
Number 94 of 103. Made 1999

I share your sentiment. I have only put six rounds through it.I pull it out every once in a while to hold it. It was such a rare score that I don't want to carry it for fear of scratching it.
I'll just have to get another for carry!

That sure is a nice 3" .44Mag. I have a neat 3" Model 657 MFG in 1986 Ser# ANF- range, also a Lou Horton Stainless N-frame. It has a bright stainless polished finish and had the fingergrove combat S&W stocks. It has a beautiful set of Elk Stags on it now. Love the 3 inch! Enjoy!

i have the 657 and M29 in 3"both are great carry guns and a hoot to shoot!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Welcome to the Forum and NICE 1st post , I got chills! I agree with Neal the grips are from a Magna Classic, you can tell from the "speedloader cutout" on both sides instead of just the left side...they are a tad smaller than the original ones and you seem to like the fit so thats Great! Congrats again and welcome...

Bought this LH 629-1 on this Forum about 5 years ago. Box, tools and papers.

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Sure you did

Keep making posts like your first, and you'll take away my reputation for being the most long-winded person here! Its OK. You obviously have something to say and approach the thing in a well thought out manner.

3 weeks ago I was at a medium size gunshow downstate. Its been my approach to set up our table, then abandon my pard for a quick walk around. In the past its paid big dividends for me. This time was no exception. On a table a few aisles over was a short barrel 629-1. A dead ringer for the matte finish guns mentioned above. But its got an AVP prefix. None of that mattered. It was a good gun at a fair price (the same you paid! ) Better still, it had some other odd things going on. The front sight was oddly shaped, like it contained a glass vial..of nuclear material. Yes, it glows in the dark. Then I noticed the ports on the barrel. Nice option to look at, but with magnum loads it will shoot gas jets skyward. The last and oddest thing was on the crane. It had a plunger in the top that rested in a recess in the bottom of the barrel - a 3rd lock! Yes, its an interesting gun. But it doesn't have a Lew Horton serial.

I do have a Lew Horton 44 Special. Like a fool I sold it to a buddy long ago. He's a lousy shot, about as bad as anyone I've ever seen. He always had to be "modern" and bought a bunch of semi-autos, all of which he couldn't hit the broad side of the barn. So when I was in the middle of a sell down in the 1990s, he came to look. And the big surprise was he bought the 44! But I couldn't let him go without giving him some ammo. So I got a baggie and filled it some of my home brewed loads. That was back when our CCW law had just taken hold an he had to pass the very easy range test.

So about a week later we had a club meeting. He appeared with a test target. This guy had been hard pressed to put 10 rounds on the paper with any semi-auto. Suddenly he had a target (and I'm sure its not a specific handgun target) with a 6" bull. And he placed all but one shot in the black! He'd never done anything remotely like that before. But suddenly on his first attempt with a short barreled revolver he was putting out respectable targets. Yes, short barrel 44s are interesting.

Better still, he sold it back last spring.

At our shows we have a vendor who buys and has engraved 3" Ns. He charges pretty steep prices, but they're nice guns. While I like engraved guns, I don't want to pay a profit to get them. I prefer someone to be selling to raise money, and will give me a better price!

Keep up the posting. Many here on the forum enjoy others who write with feeling about the guns they like so much.

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Dick Burg

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the find.
That's next on my "hit list". I already have a 24 LH, 624 LH, and a 629 Trail Boss.

Well , welcome home brother. You're just as deep in it as some of us.

For me it's Smiths in 45 Colt.

That the 44 Magnum does it for you is a good thing.
You should be able to put down any two or four legged
creature that crosses your path on a dark evening.
DO plug your ears if you can my friend. You don't want any
permanent hearing loss from the report of that 44.

Take care and give the dogs a hug for me. A simple city dweller
with no animals till I move West for my retirement.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Great post! Made me go grab my 3" 629-4 Backpacker and give her an unnecessary cleaning

mike...i thought i may have been the only one here that as a result of reading the forum went and grabbed various guns glad to know i have company!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I also have a 629-1 3" like david f. snow that also has the magna classic style stocks/grips on it. Serial number is BBA-xxxx. They were on it when I bought many years ago at a gun show. Were these grips ever factory on this model? According to LewHorton it was not one of their guns. They said it was probably a S&W 103610 made between 1988 and 1990. I'd just like to know. Thanks.

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